United States, Mexico are Nations League favorites but face tough tests vs. Honduras and Costa Rica

After a year-long postponement as a result of coronavirus pandemic, the CONCACAF Nations League finals kick off this week, and there are many storylines to maintain observe of forward of Thursday’s semifinals and Sunday’s last in Denver.

The USA — that includes Christian Pulisic, Sergino Dest, and Giovanni Reyna — must get previous at all times powerful Honduras to doubtlessly arrange a championship conflict with Mexico. “El Tri” are with out Raul Jimenez, however they nonetheless boast Hirving “Chucky” Lozano and Jesus “Tecatito” Corona as they put together for a veteran-laden Costa Rica facet that’s lacking Keylor Navas.

ESPN’s Gus Elvin and Eric Gomez break down the primary storylines and what to maintain look ahead to earlier than the motion unfolds.

Soar to: Who’s Brooks’ greatest associate at CB? | Will La Pantera strike for Honduras? | Can Mexico depart it to Lozano? | El Tri‘s backline a priority?| Ticos‘ veterans making a case?

1. Can the U.S.’s hyped stars put it collectively for significant video games?

Previous to Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Switzerland, the USMNT had compiled a 5-0-1 file over its final six video games, outscoring opponents by a lopsided 26-4 margin. Whereas lots of these performances and scorelines had been eye-catching, it should be famous that these outcomes got here towards lower-ranked opposition like Trinidad and Tobago (103rd in FIFA rankings) and Panama (78th), or towards youthful, extra experimental sides from the likes of Wales and Costa Rica.

There is no such thing as a questioning the USMNT’s expertise pool or future — the U.S. will probably discipline a lineup nearly completely made up of gamers who play in Europe’s “Massive 5” leagues on Thursday towards Honduras — however it is very important do not forget that Gregg Berhalter’s facet haven’t performed a significant recreation towards high opposition since a 2-1 defeat to Mexico on the 2019 Gold Cup last. Simply how way back was that? Properly, Giovanni Reyna had but to debut at senior membership stage for Borussia Dortmund, Valencia midfielder Yunus Musah was nonetheless an England youth worldwide, and Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley began that last at Soldier Discipline.

None of that is to say that the USMNT isn’t able to take the subsequent step and show their credentials this week towards Honduras and doubtlessly Mexico in Sunday’s last. It’s extra to say that we have to see it first, as this week’s video games are positive to current a much bigger problem and function a a lot better measuring stick of the nationwide staff’s progress than the blowout pleasant wins the U.S. have achieved during the last 18 months. The truth that the U.S., albeit with out Pulisic and Tyler Adams, got here right down to earth a bit towards a high opponent in Thirteenth-ranked Switzerland on Sunday, additionally confirmed this facet nonetheless has some inquiries to reply.

And whereas Honduras aren’t any Switzerland, they nonetheless can show a cussed outfit, who with a rugged backline led by the ageless Maynor Figueroa, and thrilling, European-based younger attackers Anthony Lozano and Alberth Elis, have the potential to offer the U.S. with a professional take a look at.

The time is now for the U.S. to indicate their latest outcomes weren’t a fluke and that they will constantly reproduce some of these performances towards higher opposition and in a event format. With the likes of Pulisic, Dest, Weston McKennie and so many extra contemporary off profitable silverware on the high ranges of the membership recreation, there isn’t any purpose to suppose the USMNT can’t rise to the event towards steeper competitors. They will start to show that Thursday night time in Denver by laying down the primary of hopefully many markers with a win towards Honduras. — Gus Elvin

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Herculez Gomez says he can’t think about Christian Pulisic discovering a greater state of affairs at an enormous membership if he leaves Chelsea.

2. Who begins alongside Brooks in central protection?

John Brooks is an computerized starter at center-back for the USMNT when match however who will likely be his rapid and long-term associate in central protection stays to be seen. Underneath Gregg Berhalter, Aaron Lengthy has gotten many of the reps in that position, however with the New York Crimson Bulls veteran out long-term with a torn Achilles damage, Berhalter must look elsewhere. Bayern Munich’s Chris Richards, who impressed whereas on mortgage at Hoffenheim, who many view because the long-term reply to this query resulting from his athleticism and passing prowess, can also be unavailable for this event via damage.

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That leaves Matt Miazga, who spent one other season on mortgage from Chelsea and was an everyday at Belgian membership Anderlecht, Mark McKenzie who impressed at Genk after becoming a member of them from the Philadelphia Union in January, and Tim Ream, who performed scarcely with relegated Fulham within the Premier League. With Ream now 33 years previous and largely out of motion, the right-sided position alongside Brooks probably comes right down to Miazga and McKenzie, each of whom had sturdy seasons in Belgium’s top-flight.

Miazga, 25, in all probability loved his greatest season in Europe, serving to Anderlecht concede the second-fewest objectives within the division and rising below the teaching tutelage of the ex-Manchester Metropolis nice Vincent Firm. In the meantime, McKenzie acclimated extraordinarily nicely in his first season in Europe and completed the season by incomes a spot within the league’s Group of the Week the ultimate two weeks of the season. In different phrases, Berhalter has a troublesome determination to make.

Whereas Miazga has extra expertise each in Europe and at worldwide stage (21 caps), McKenzie didn’t look misplaced in any respect towards Switzerland on Sunday in simply his third cap. Provided that McKenzie is extra cell than Miazga and a greater ball-playing centre-back, he could be the extra pure match alongside the towering and extra no-nonsense defender that Brooks is.

That mentioned, Berhalter might elect to go together with the safer choice and follow Miazga, who’s extra of commanding presence within the field and has partnered Brooks 5 instances earlier than, together with towards the likes of Portugal, Brazil and England. The beginning right-sided center-back place stays one of many few up-for-grabs locations for the USMNT, and all eyes will likely be on whoever will get the nod come Thursday. — Elvin

3. Can Honduras give themselves an opportunity to spring the upset?

Whereas Honduras supervisor Fabian Coito has two harmful attackers within the aforementioned Elis and Lozano at his disposal, he won’t be eager to try to out-gun a USMNT roster that has Pulisic, Reyna, Brenden Aaronson, Joshua Sargent, Tim Weah and Jordan Siebatcheu to select from in assault. The straightforward truth is that the U.S. are only a extra proficient and deeper staff, which implies Honduras must discover methods to shrink the hole and neutralize the USMNT’s strengths to offer themselves a puncher’s likelihood. Coito will know this as nicely, having seen the U.S. rating seven objectives on Trinidad, six on El Salvador and Panama, and 4 on Jamaica in latest video games towards CONCACAF opposition.

A method Honduras might doubtlessly spring an upset is by breaking apart the sport by shelling out and drawing tactical fouls. Historically, Honduras are darkish artwork masters inside CONCACAF, with 38-year-old Figueroa the ringleader within the again. The rugged defender has amassed a file 165 caps for Los Catrachos, and has made a reputation for himself in Honduras, England and now in Main League Soccer with the Houston Dynamo as somebody who performs the sport bodily and on the sting. If Honduras are to maintain the rating down and have an opportunity to grab this on the counter, they may want Figueroa and the remainder of the facet to be bodily, dedicated and tactical by way of breaking apart play .

This defense-first technique will likely be nothing new for Honduras, who may also rely on their forwards to drop deep, get behind the ball and assist in defence. It might not make for entertaining soccer, however it might stop the USMNT from getting right into a rhythm and function Honduras greatest likelihood of constructing it to an unlikely last.

The purpose for Coito and his males will probably be to maintain this 0-0 for as lengthy doable, because the longer they keep within the recreation the extra probably it will likely be that the U.S. will begin urgent and make a mistake or get caught defensively. Elis is the X-factor for Honduras as his tempo and trickiness, which a few of the U.S. facet will keep in mind nicely from his time with the Dynamo earlier than transferring to Portuguese facet Boavista, make him the final word hazard man on the counter. Honduras are large underdogs right here however with an skilled group and a few historical past by way of grinding out aggressive outcomes towards the U.S., they aren’t and not using a likelihood, particularly with La Pantera up high. — Elvin

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Herculez Gomez says vigilance should be taken by Mexico and Wolves with Raul Jimenez’ return to soccer.

1. Who will begin as El Tri‘s striker with Jimenez injured?

Since Raul Jimenez went right down to damage following a nasty collision with Arsenal’s David Luiz final November, supervisor Gerardo “Tata” Martino has undergone the troublesome process of changing his manufacturing in El Tri‘s lineup. It’s undoubtedly, not a simple process. Jimenez spearheaded the offense in latest instances, scoring 11 objectives in his final 16 video games for Mexico.

He’s additionally the nation’s solely Premier League export and one of many few Europe-based stars within the participant pool. To this point, Jimenez’s manufacturing and position has largely been irreplaceable.

Membership America’s Henry Martin, the participant most much like the Wolverhampton Wanderers ahead by place and bodily stature, has struggled to make his mark. Puebla striker Santiago Ormeno, who scored 9 objectives within the not too long ago accomplished Guardianes 2023 season, is of no obvious curiosity to the Argentine coach. Alan Pulido and JJ Macias — the latter at present coaching with the Olympic facet — don’t appear to have caught Martino’s eye of their appearances for both the senior staff or the under-23 squad.

Then there’s Javier “Chicarito” Hernandez, who leads MLS with seven objectives via the identical quantity of video games. Although Martino has mentioned Chicharito stays a viable choice for him going ahead, it’s exhausting to disregard the chilly shoulder the previous Manchester United striker has obtained in latest months from his nationwide staff coach.

In Jimenez’s absence, Martino has retooled his offense and not using a conventional striker carrying the load. Napoli’s Hirving Lozano has undoubtedly turn into the goal man up entrance, both as a false 9 or off the wing. Of their pleasant towards Iceland final week, Lozano got here off the bench and handed El Tri the 2-1 win in just below a half an hour with a brace. Speedy gamers like Lozano or Diego Lainez, who can create in tight areas and pull defenders away from their zones appears to be Martino’s wager towards Costa Rica and past. — Eric Gomez

2. Can Mexico’s protection rise to the take a look at?

Very similar to the USMNT, Mexico’s backline is prime for debate. Of their final 5 matches, the commonest pairing of central defenders for Mexico has been that of Hector Moreno and Carlos Salcedo. Although Moreno’s expertise is unequalled (the 33-year-old has over 100 caps and has performed in three World Cups), his type has been referred to as into query after a pair of lackluster seasons within the Qatari membership Al-Gharafa.

El Tri has stored a clear sheet in simply two of their final six matches however have bailed out of some key errors towards Iceland and towards Costa Rica in a earlier pleasant. Others who’ve joined Moreno and Salcedo in Mexico’s defensive rotation embrace Cesar Montes and Nestor Araujo, who simply accomplished his third season in La Liga for Celta Vigo, although neither has been capable of persuade Martino to shake up the Moreno-Salcedo pairing.

Martino has additionally toyed with the thought of getting three on the again, slipping in Ajax Amsterdam defensive midfielder Edson Alvarez between Moreno and Salcedo. Alvarez, one other former Membership America star, was nonetheless chargeable for an personal purpose towards Iceland.In later stretches of the match, he gave the impression to be instructed to go again into the midfield in order to not crowd the backline.

Mexico’s considerably gradual central defenders can have a troublesome process towards Costa Rica and the velocity of Joel Campbell. Nevertheless, it’s way more intriguing to suppose what Martino will do if he has to face the USMNT and their means to create issues with their velocity and talent up entrance. — Gomez

3. Is that this Costa Rica’s final stand with the present era?

Together with his stint at Paris Saint-Germain and his three Champions League medals from Actual Madrid, Navas stays Costa Rica’s most recognizable participant — however the 34-year-old goalkeeper will miss this event with an damage. With out arguably CONCACAF’s high participant, the Ticos will due to this fact should depend on a bevy of different veterans to make a run on the trophy.

In whole, 9 of the 23 gamers chosen by supervisor Ronald Gonzalez are over the age of 30. Of the present group, one other 4 will likely be 30 or older by the point the 2023 World Cup rolls round. Gonzalez is nicely conscious the present era’s time within the solar is ending, and to that finish, replenished his roster with 5 gamers 23 or below, together with Columbus Crew’s Luis Diaz.

The upcoming rise of groups like Canada and Jamaica, in addition to the sustained success of CONCACAF giants Mexico and the US means Costa Rica can have a troublesome street forward of them in the event that they want to qualify to a 3rd consecutive World Cup and past. The primary take a look at for Costa Rica’s hybrid group will come towards Mexico, and can probably draw a good bit of conclusions as to whether or not they’ll proceed to be a participant within the area — or fade away for the subsequent few years. — Gomez